Cord blood banks store newborn cord blood for potential future transplant use. Early-2000s providers like Cord Blood America promoted private preservation and education. Before choosing a bank, confirm current corporate status, accreditation (AABB or equivalent), FDA registration, processing methods, storage guarantees, and fees. Understand that private storage can help in some transplant scenarios but has limits for genetic disorders, and that public donation supports unrelated patients.
Why cord blood banking matters
Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells that can reconstitute bone marrow and treat blood disorders. Clinicians use cord blood in transplants for conditions such as leukemia, certain anemias, immune deficiencies, and some metabolic disorders. Cord blood collection is noninvasive and happens at birth.
About Cord Blood America (background)
Cord Blood America (often referenced in early-2000s coverage) operated alongside private-label partners that marketed cord blood preservation services. The company began operations in the early 2000s with an expressed purpose of storing cord blood for private family use and educating parents about stem cell preservation.
Some historical reports name Cord Blood Partners as a related brand that launched in the same period; specific corporate structure and current operating status should be verified before contacting or contracting with any provider. 1
What a cord blood bank typically provides
Private cord blood banks generally handle collection kits, courier transport, laboratory processing, and long-term cryogenic storage. They also provide informed-consent documents and customer support about collection timing and eligibility.
Reputable banks aim for third-party accreditation (for example, AABB) and registration with regulators where required. In the U.S., cord blood facilities commonly follow Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance for blood and biologic products; accreditation and registration are useful quality signals.
Benefits and limits to know
Stored cord blood can benefit family members in some transplant scenarios. However, autologous (self) use has limits: blood disorders that are genetic usually cannot be treated with a child's own stored cord blood because the defective gene will still be present.
Public cord blood banks accept donations for unrelated patients and research. Donating to a public bank can increase access for those who need a matched transplant, whereas private banking reserves units for a single family.
Questions to ask a cord blood bank
- Is the facility accredited (AABB or equivalent) and FDA-registered?
- What tests and processing techniques do you use?
- How long do you guarantee storage, and what are the fees?
- What is your chain-of-custody and courier process for collections?
- How do you handle releases for transplant or research use?
Making a decision
Evaluate medical need, family history, costs, and credible quality indicators when choosing between public donation and private storage. Contact any bank directly for up-to-date accreditations, processing protocols, pricing, and the company's current corporate status before making a commitment. 2
- Confirm current corporate status and operating brands for Cord Blood America and Cord Blood Partners (active, merged, renamed, or defunct).
- Verify founders and founding dates for Cord Blood America and Cord Blood Partners if needed for company background.
- Confirm any recent accreditations, FDA registrations, or enforcement actions related to the company before directing consumers to them.